SPANISH LA LIGA: REAL Madrid battled back from a goal down to beat bottom-of-the-table Osasuna 3-1 yesterday and reclaim second spot in the Primera Liga from Sevilla, 12 points behind leaders Barcelona.
Jose Antonio Camacho’s side took a shock lead at the Bernabeu on 20 minutes when Iranian
midfielder Javad Nekounam outjumped Fabio Cannavaro to nod a cross past Iker Casillas.
An error by goalkeeper Roberto Fernandez gifted Real an equaliser just after the break when a
long-range Sergio Ramos shot spooned into the net off his hands and Gonzalo Higuain netted
shortly after, tapping home Arjen Robben’s low cross. In-form Robben made sure of the points in added time, cutting in from the
right and driving the ball past Fernandez.
It was the fourth consecutive league victory for the champions and ends a turbulent week away
from the pitch with the resignation on Friday of club president Ramon Calderon after the Marca newspaper published allegations of irregularities at the club’s
general assembly last month.
The Madrid club’s new president Vicente Boluda was quoted as saying yesterday that Real would not be buying any more players in the January transfer window.
Real’s win follows Barcelona’s 5-0 thrashing of Deportivo Coruna at Camp Nou on Saturday.
The Catalans have amassed a record number of points for the first half of a season, with 50
from 19 matches, eclipsing the previous best of 47 set by Real Madrid last term.
Meanwhile, Barcelona forward Lionel Messi insists no amount of money could tempt him away
from Camp Nou.
“I would love to stay here for my whole life,” said the Argentinian, who scored his side’s first goal against Deportivo. “Let’s hope it turns out like that.”
Barcelona’s other goals on Saturday were scored by Thierry Henry and Samuel Eto’o, who scored two each.
